Can Naomi Watts Survive 'The Impossible'?

The true story of the devastating 2004 tsunami that consumed the coast of Phuket, Thailand -- and how one family survived it -- is reenacted by Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor in The Impossible. Watch the video to meet the real-life woman that the story is based on…

Video: Tsunami Survivor Petra Nemcova Reacts to Latest Disaster in Japan

"She's an incredibly strong and courageous woman, says Naomi of Maria Belon. "How she survived [not only] physically, but emotionally, is an inspiration."

In theaters December 21, The Impossible finds Naomi as Maria and Ewan as her husband Henry, who are enjoying their winter vacation in Thailand with their three sons. On the day after Christmas, their relaxing holiday in paradise becomes an exercise in terror and survival when their beachside hotel is pummeled by an extraordinary, unexpected tsunami.

"Everything that happened there touched very deep emotions that belonged to humanity in tough moments," says Maria about the extraordinary ordeal.

Video: Watch the Trailer for 'The Impossible'

The Impossible tracks just what happens when this close family and tens of thousands of strangers must come together to grapple with the mayhem and aftermath of one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time.